Once again, I had every intention of writing a sentimental post on this special day (hope it was a happy one for all you dads out there!), but then the day took some unexpected turns (some more sharp than others). And I figured I just paid homage to my wonderful husband (who’s an equally wonderful father) and I often talk about how influential and inspirational my own dad is. So here are a few lessons I learned along the way on another (Griswold-like) family outing today.
Lesson #1: When your kids’ dental hygienist tells you about a great place to go pick your own strawberries just a bit south of Half Moon Bay: DO take her word for it that it’s a fun outing. DON’T trust that it’s just “a bit south”…unless you define 30+ miles on a two-lane highway as “a bit”. But it turns out four hours in the car for an hour (tops) of strawberry picking is worth it when you can enjoy great conversation (see Lesson #3), the summer sunshine and the ocean breeze. At least that’s Lenny’s story—and he’s sticking to it.
Lesson #2: Before you get in the car for what’s supposed to be a 1-plus-hour ride (without an added 30-45 minutes of Father’s Day traffic and road construction), be sure to feed your baby. And should you forget, don’t hastily put the bottle together when you arrive and dump half of it on your starving baby. And should you dump half of it on your baby, be prepared to spend the remainder of the outing in the car feeding the baby bottle #2.
Lesson #3: Some things just can’t go left uncorrected. Like everything your 2-1/2-year-old brother says. Take note: A granola bar is not a gorilla bar. It’s a gr-a-nilla bar. And dinosaurs didn’t eat cheese because it hadn’t been invented yet. Or ham. But there was meat. Oh, and that green stuff on your hamburger is not turkey. It’s lettuce. (This insight was a costly one—it guarantees that Little will now start removing the “turkey” from his hamburgers.)
Lesson #4: When you and your kids are prone to car sickness, taking the (winding) road less traveled back—though seemingly closer to home—is not your best bet. (Even if you’re traveling on empty stomachs because you didn’t pack a picnic like the farm’s website recommended.)
Lesson #5: Maybe a day on the couch watching golf really is the best Father’s Day gift.
Well, we’re home (safely) with pounds of strawberries and a 5-year-old boy itching to make strawberry shortcake. If you have a great recipe, please send it our way.
Happy Father’s Day to my oh-so-patient husband, my sweet father, my fun-loving father-in-law and my wonderful friends (you know, the ones who read my blog)!
Wishing your hubby a happy father’s day.. it was nice (and brave!) of you guys to go out! I took the easy route and just bought my husband a bunch of clothes ;-)… we didn’t feel like venturing out in the heat.. Wishing you loads of rest this week..Do post about the shortcake if Big does make one……
Thanks so much! I hope your family enjoyed the day and that your hubby enjoys the clothes…can’t go wrong with those!
Thanks for the link to the strawberry picking. I’ve been looking around for some day trips to take with the family once we don’t have many structured activities to do. I hope you get a good recipe for a strawberry shortcake that you’ll share with us. Happy Father’s Day to your hubby!
It’s definitely a fun outing, but I’d plan lunch in Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay and time it appropriately. We arrived at the strawberry patch at 11:30am and somehow didn’t find a lunch spot until 2:45pm. Oops!
seriously awesome cake recipe:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/05/strawberry-shortcakecake/
And yes, been there with the spilling of the bottle all over the hungry baby because the top wasn’t screwed on right… (sigh). Then again, if you just took off her shirt and put it in her mouth, she probably would have sucked the goodness right outta there! 😉
Wow, Jodie. No surprise you and the Pioneer Woman are way beyond our abilities. We made the strawberry shortcakes today…I’ll be sure to post what I did within the next week. Prepare to be underwhelmed!
You definitely are a party of five now and it sounds like you’re having a time of it! Good thing you can make fun of your excursion because your kids are too young to make fun of it for the Rest of Your Life (all of it in good fun, of course!). Many of our day trips and longer are the heart of the funny memories we share with great laughter and joy! I know you know that all too well. Thanks for more giggles!